I tried this Arctic Zero Ice Cream and it gets two thumbs down. I guess ice cream needs more than 150 calories to taste good.Fleet Feet had an Ultra-Dirtbag kick-off mixer for the new training season. Obviously we had a lot of Dirtbag pride and no we didn’t call each other beforehand!

Robin Frazier at Franklin Massage Center gave me the best deep tissue sports massage! She really got into my sore muscles with her elbows. It hurt SO good!!!
I met the hubs for a Portobello taco dinner

and came home to bake apology cookies. If you know me, I’m always early. Well, I completely booked my PT appointment for the wrong time and missed it all together. I felt so bad. Hopefully these cookies will make it better when I go back for my next session!

My friend Kim Jameson posted this picture on her IG this week. She bakes, loves live music, and spends a lot of time at the beach. I want to be her when I grow up! This pic is just too perfect!

Do you use sports massage as part of your training plan? How often do you get a massage?

Have you tried Arctic Zero Ice Cream? Thoughts? Did I just buy the wrong flavor?

What are your favorite “store-bought” bars? I love Picky Bars and Bearded Brothers!

#choosejoy

Join the Conversation

http://readeatwriterun.com M @readeatwriterun

There’s dark chocolate almond milk? What brand? I’m not really supposed to eat chocolate, so I’ve been avoiding, but I’ve been craving it since my post-race indulgence. I might need to try that.

I was seriously addicted to Arctic Zero – it does take a few times to get used to the taste, which isn’t exactly like ice cream, more like a frozen whey protein shake. The coffee HAD been good, but as the company’s distribution has skyrocketed, IMHO some of their consistent taste and texture across batches has suffered. My favorite was vanilla maple which you can also mix with frozen blueberries or bananas, top with nut butter or top with Torani sf syrups (like gingerbread, brown sugar cinnamon, salted caramel, etc)- or the ones Starbucks uses) I could seriously eat multiple pints in one night. The strawberry was pretty good if mixed with frozen blueberries. I haven’t had the chocolate, chocolate pb and chocolate mint in years but they were decent. I liked the cookies-n-cream with Torani sf chocolate syrup, very chocolatey. They have coconut, salted caramel and orange cream flavors but only through their web site. The bars are “meh” and the chocolate coating tastes odd and melts too fast, so I’d skip it. I think Tara’s a fan too. I was so hooked I had to ban it from the house. It’s yummy and so low cal (with protein and fiber) but it’s pricey – I did find that WF and my local store would give me 10% discount for buying a case (8) at a time, usually the same flavor.

If you want non-dairy ice cream, try the various coconut-milk based ones…..but they are NOT low cal and brand/flavor quality differs. I like Luna & Larry’s vanilla (and their caramel gingersnap or similar before I went into Paleo), SoDelicious was ok too.

Massage – YES!! Every week. I’d do it more often if I could.

Favorite bars – Quest bars (apple cinnamon or chocolate brownie – NOT anything from their naturals line, the sugar alcohol is nasty). Lara Bars are ok. I never tried Bearded though I meant to. I did try Picky while I was non-Paleo, didn’t get what all the fuss is about.

Happy Thursday!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Thanks so much for all of your tips! Weekly massages…yes please! Its Silk Dark Chocolate Almond milk and its so good:)

http://leerunsdistances.wordpress.com FLRunnerBoy

Love those plaid looking shorts Jen! And yes I do use sports deep muscle massage but only as needed I have it done regularly and I combine it with muscle stimulation. I’d have to say Picky Bars are the best store bought bars out there!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Im totally with you on the picky bars!

Amy

You’re killing it on the bike! I’d love to know your weights routine…I tend to get stuck in a rut and do the same things over and over. I love those shorts! Brand?

Thanks for the massage rec!! I have a hard time finding someone that’s not afraid to dig in with their elbows.. Otherwise I can’t even feel it! And agree, Artic Zero just tastes like ice to me :/

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Franklin massage specializes in runners and theyre not afraid to really dig in!

http://www.ksrunner.com Sarah @ KS Runner

When I’m training I try to do a massage every month. Sometimes it works out to more often, sometimes less. I love the Almond and Coconut Kind bars! I’m allergic to tree nuts, so its harder for me to find bars that I can actually eat! I love Picky Bars, but there are only a few of them that I can have too!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

I love kind bars, too!

http://rachelrunsmusiccity.blogspot.com Rachel Runs Music City

Hey do you like Orange Theory? There’s one opening up near me and I’m curious about what it is and if I should try it out.

http://laurainlou.wordpress.com lmicklich

I like Picky Bars, too, but I’ve also been enjoying the Alt bars by Larabar for more protein.

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

One of my girlfriends gave me a pb alt bar…so good!!

http://www.fitandfaithfulfitness.com Chelsy

I am a Larabar and Bobo’s Oat Bar fan!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

My husband Swears by the Bobo Bars…especially when hes trail running.

http://www.runningnreading.com Running ‘N’ Reading

Jen, you KNOW I love my Picky Bars! Arctic Zero was okay as a substitute, at first, because I was just so excited that I could eat a yummy treat for so few calories; however, for the price (it’s almost $6 a pint here) it’s not that great. I’d rather just suck it up and have some real ice cream (or even FroYo) after a long run and be done with it. I wish I could fit a massage it more often; I really need to find someone in my area who specializes is sports massage. I’m glad you have a good one!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

I agree! Id rather just have real ice cream:)

http://alsoranagain.com alsoranagain

I get sports massages about once every month when I’m not training and every other week when I’m training. My massage therapist is pretty much a sadist but I think her deep tissue work mitigates my injuries as much as possible.

I love the name of your trail running club!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

I love the name, too! Who doesnt want to be a dirtbag?!

http://crazyrunnerblog.wordpress.com joannaraines

Man I am so impressed with your biking!! Way to go!! I like the vanilla maple and cookies n’ cream arctic zero…but it IS really expensive. So I usually just get a “healthier” ice cream that has less sugar

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

I’ll have to try those flavors, but youre right it is expensive!!

danielle

i did 15 miles on the bike and was whooped, you are AMAZING!!!! very motivating, thank you

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

15 rocks!! Great job and hopefully we’ll get back to running asap!

Jason

Love your Sun Shine pic!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Thanks!! It’s amazing what a little sunshine can do to “brighten” your day:) (That was such a dorky pun!)

Nancy

Thank you for sharing your granola bar recipe! Made a batch yesterday, they are awesome!!

http://jenchoosesjoy.com jenchoosesjoy

Im so glad you like them!

suzysuzyheather

Nice job getting all those bike miles in. Next time your achilles will know better than to act up!

This is the perfect warm weather ‘pasta’ recipe! The simple sauce is sun-dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic. I served mine over zoodles (zucchini noodles), but you can also use traditional pasta. Bonus: the sauce doesn’t even require cooking…just blend, toss, and serve! If you are using traditional pasta, cook according to package instructions….

I’m always hesitant to type that anything is my favorite. I’ve baked a lot of chocolate chip cookies over the years, but the recipe from King Arthur Flour is going to be really tough to beat. The middles stay soft, the edges are just a little crispy, and they have a rich brown sugar, buttery…

I made a big pot of Old Fashioned Tomato Soup and wanted a cheesy side. These cheese sticks were the perfect healthier option! They’re gluten-free, low carb, super-cheesy, and perfect for dipping in tomato soup! This recipe makes two cheese stick “pizzas.” You can easily halve it to make one. Here are your ingredients: Roughly…

“Nice Cream” is one of my favorite treats and it is super simple to make!! You just blend frozen bananas in your food processor or blender, and it makes a soft-serve ice cream or “nice cream!” Bonus: its dairy-free and gluten-free and I was really surprised by how much it tastes like real ice cream. Add…

This is an easy and delicious way to grill asparagus. Just marinade it in a plastic bag and grill. I love the extra touch of grilling the lemon to drizzle over the top. Place the asparagus in a large ziploc bag and add lemon juice, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. Seal the bag and distribute the…

Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl. Stir until completely combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you prefer. I used a 1-inch cookie dough scoop for mine. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator…although we…